Title- European Green Crab Scientific Technicians
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Openings- Two (2)
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- 7 Months – April 1 – October 31
For the 2025 season, these positions are anticipated to begin March 1, 2025.
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species Division
Duty Station- Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Get your boots dirty and conduct early detection, monitoring, and removal trapping efforts for European green crab (EGC), a Prohibited Level 1 species in the state of Washington.

As part of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Division, you will help protect Washington’s native shellfish, eelgrass, and estuary habitat critical for salmon and many other species.

Work alongside agency partners, tribes, and co-managers to assess the full spread and quantity of current EGC invasions.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the European Green Crab Scientific Technicians will,

Conduct European Green Crab (EGC) Management Actions:

• Conduct early detection sampling methods (such as trapping, eDNA, and larvae sampling) at sites not previously surveyed in nearshore environments following established protocols.
• Perform assessments to determine distribution and abundance of EGC.
• Conduct monitoring efforts at established sites using established protocols to gather information on EGC trends.
• Assemble field gear, safely navigate to remote locations, set traps at predetermined sites, and return the following day to sample for up to 5 days at a time.
• Record data using electronic field app and/or field datasheets and ensure data is accurately recorded and summarized.
• Protect native species by following Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Unit protocols to reduce bycatch, quickly and carefully release any incidental bycatch, and remove and humanely euthanize captured EGC and other AIS.
• Participate in regional rapid response actions where new EGC are detected following the lead biologists’ directives.
• Support co-managers, tribes, and partners (including Washington Sea Grant, Lummi Nation, Northwest Straits Commission, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Willapa Grays Harbor Oyster Grower Association, and Conservation Districts) with assessment and control efforts.

Office Work:

• Conduct early detection sampling methods (such as trapping, eDNA, and larvae sampling) at sites not previously surveyed in nearshore environments following established protocols.
• Enter weekly data into the project database via laptop, ensuring data is accurately recorded, summarized, and inputted.

 Equipment Maintenance:

• Follow all AIS Unit decontamination protocols for watercrafts, gear, and equipment

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Approximately 85 % field work and 15% office work.
• Hike 2-3 miles per day and frequently carry a dry bag or frame pack (weighing up to 50 pounds) throughout Washington’s vast marine environments, including but not limited to intertidal habitats such as marshes, channels, and mudflats.
• Work outside on uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• May operate motorized (such as airboats, <26-foot aluminum boats, and rigid inflatables) and non-motorized (such as kayaks, inflatables, and canoes) watercrafts in coastal marine environments.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Typically, 40 hours per week, 24/7 scheduling. May be required to occasionally exceed these hours, work holidays and weekends, and respond on short notice to rapid response AIS emergencies.

Travel Requirements: This position requires frequent statewide travel and may require overnight stays up to five (5) days.

Tools and Equipment: Laptop, smart phone, Personal Floatation Device (PFD), and Garmin In-Reach. Complex mobile water quality laboratory, eDNA, and non-electronic biological and environmental sampling devices. 25-foot cargo trailer, watercraft, flatbed trailer, winches, motor vehicles, and complex hot water trailered and hand-pushed pressure washers.

Customer Interactions: Frequently interacts with the public. Regularly coordinates with co-managers, tribes, and may work on tribal lands.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science AND two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

OR

Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science AND two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Please note: College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

Within one (1) month of hire, must obtain:

• WA State Boater Education Card.

Within six (6) months of hire, must complete:

• First Aid Certification.
• Wilderness First Aid.
• Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Training Level I/II.
• Incident Command System (ICS) Trainings: 100, 200, 700, 800 (virtual), 300 (in-person).

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Experience:

• Identifying European green crab and native crab species.
• Operating and working in/around boats and trailers.
• Towing/trailering boats and/or trailers (such as cargo trailers and trailered decontamination units).
• With Microsoft Office, ESRI products, and other online mapping tools.
• Entering data into Microsoft Excel/Access databases.

Job Knowledge:

• Identifying species using a taxonomic key or field guide.
• Familiarity with the principles and procedures of aquatic invasive species management.
• Using and safely operating vehicles.

Certifications:

• WA State Boater Education Card or equivalent.
• CPR/First Aid/AED Certified.
• Wilderness First Aid Certified.
• Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Training (WID) Levels I/II.
• Incident Command System Trainings including ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-700, and ICS-800.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental Information

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
 
Important Note: 
All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
 
Union - WAFWP:
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2025-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
 
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
 
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
 
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
 
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
 
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-00488.

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